PM*. 

WltCi 


— Vt—  &A.AU. . 


4 


CONSTITUTION 


OF  THE 

tfoston  Baptist  jFtroalr  Society 

FOR  MISSIONARY  PURPOSES. 


ORGANIZED  OCT.  9,  1800. 


CONSTITUTION  ALTERED  AND  AMENDED, 

DECEMBER,  1829. 


Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  Gospel  to  every 
creature. — Jesus. 

Inasmuch  as  ye  have  done  it  unto  one  of  the  least  of 
these  my  brethren,  ye  have  done  it  unto  me. — Jesus. 

Help  those  women  which  laboured  with  me  in  the 
Gospel. — Paul. 


BOSTON 

PRINTED  BY  TRUE  AND  GREENE. 

1830. 


:'  •.:>/ '* ;  JYyr t 


:  |  ?•  .:  *\r<T  a  ., 

L  .8.  Ji  1  f  \  * 


'■  >Tp r  •  ."*  ov« 

*  3j  ■  ..t.i  ,  .„• .;.  *j 


■■  r  r  -•  o 

’■  •  *  f  <-  1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2bl9  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 

■  ••• 


vi 

r/s  Of 

;• 

Dili 

:!i  hzn-.i/.-vvi;  yiii.lk;  oliu  < 

:>Y  Oi- 

.ennaT. 

- 

ir. 

ianql 

vr*  io 

6(to 

oJnrj 

•i  •.  / 

■  - 

.9'K 

o.}:-;  1; 

*j  ONol>  37f.;i  <.vr  . f;;rf(Iio-((f 

-,;i  i 

Ht 

orn  ilti 

:vr 

baiao; 

:i.[  ila'tlv/  fijjrrv -7/  yjod? 

(jfyfT 

irr  ».T — J'ip.oD 


/  -  IS '  i'i,'SOS 

•I' y  •  l a  •.*  /i a  ’ r  ^ y «i  t ti  1  ;j 'i 

https://archive.org/detailS/COnStitutionofbo00bOSt 


CONSTITUTION 


Animated  by  the  noble  exertions  which  are  ma¬ 
king  in  various  parts  of  the  Christian  world  to 
spread  the  knowledge  of  divine  truth,  and  by  the  suc¬ 
cess  with  which  the  great  Head  of  the  church  lias 
seen  fit  in  many  instances  to  crown  the  united  en¬ 
deavors  of  his  dear  people,  a  number  of  females,  feel¬ 
ing  interested  in  the  glorious  cause,  and  desirous  of 
promoting  it,  have  formed  themselves  into  a  Society 
to  raise  an  annual  collection  for  the  express  purpose 
of  aiding  missions.  The  destitute  and  affecting  situ¬ 
ation  of  thousands  of  our  fellow  creatures  calls  aloud 
to  charity  ;  and  while  a  needle  can  be  instrumental  of 
spreading  the  knowledge  of  a  Saviour’s  name,  shall  a 
Christian  female  forbear  to  exercise  it  in  the  best  of 
causes  ?  No  :  in  imitation  of  those  who  ministered  to 
the  necessities  of  our  divine  Lord,  we  will  offer  our 
mite  for  the  relief  of  his  elect  body. 

The  blessings  which  have  attended  the  various 
efforts  which  have  been  made  to  extend  the  triumphs 
of  the  cross  seem  to  justify  the  conclusion  that  the 
glorious  promise  to  the  children  of  Israel,  “  Every 
place  whereon  the  soles  of  your  feet  shall  tread  shall 
be  yours  will  be  fulfilled  to  the  faithful  in  all  ages. 
Meekly  engaged  in  contending  for  the  faith  of  the 
gospel,  we  have  every  thing  to  encourage  us.  The 
line  of  duty  marked  out ;  with  the  Banner  of  Peace 
in  our  hand,  and  the  Captain  of  salvation  at  our  head, 


4 


we  may  undauntedly  traverse  the  wide  spread  plain 
of  benevolence,  confident  of  imparting  the  richest 
blessings  to  our  fellow  men,  and  promoting  the  de¬ 
clarative  glory  of  God. 

With  a  view  to  accomplish  the  designs  of  the  Insti¬ 
tution,  the  following  articles  are  adopted  for  its  regu¬ 
lation, 

ARTICLE  1st. 

This  Society  shall  be  distinguished  by  the  name  of 
The  Boston  Baptist  Female  Society  for  Mis¬ 
sionary  Purposes. 

ARTICLE  2d. 

It  shall  consist  of  females,  who  are  disposed  to  con¬ 
tribute  their  mite  towards  so  noble  a  design  as  the 
diffusion  of  gospel  light  among  the  shades  of  darkness 
and  superstition. 

ARTICLE  3d. 

The  permanent  support  of  a  suitable  Missionary  in 
this  city,  shall  be  the  society’s  primary  object.  What¬ 
ever  may  be  raised  over  and  above  a  sufficiency  for 
this,  shall  be  appropriated  to  such  missionary  opera¬ 
tions  as  the  openings  of  Providence  may  suggest  to  be 
duty.  All  necessary  expenses  shall  be  defrayed  fVom 
the  funds. 

ARTICLE  4th. 

The  meetings  shall  be  holden  on  the  first  Monday 
Afternoon  of  every  month,,  at  such  place  as  may  be 
appointed. 

ARTICLE  5th. 

The  time  shall  be  devoted  to  religious  exercises, 
unless  indispensably  necessary  to  attend  to  business 
of  importance. 


5 


ARTICLE  6th. 

The  annual  subscription  shall  be  from  two  dollars 
down  to  fifty  cents,  as  circumstances  shall  dictate. 
Those  who  possess  the  ability,  it  is  hoped  will  do 
much  more.  Life  membership,  twenty  dollars. 

ARTICLE  7th. 

The  Annual  Meeting,  shall  be  the  first  Monday  in 
October,  when  shall  be  chosen  a  President,  Vice 
Presidents,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Trustees  and 
Collectors  ;  who,  together,  shall  constitute  a  Board 
for  the  transaction  of  business.  Any  number  of  those, 
who  shall  be  present  at  a  regularly  notified  meeting, 
shall  be  competent  to  proceed  to  business  in  fifteen 
minutes  after  the  appointed  hour. 

The  Board  so  chosen,  shall  appoint  from  among 
themselves  a  Committee  of  Reference,  to  whom  the 
Missionary  may  apply  for  advice,  and  make  known 
his  proceedings,  tie  will  also  be  expected  to  make 
a  report  to  the  Board  and  Society  whenever  officially 
requested. 

They  may  also  if  necessary,  elect  an  Assistant  Sec¬ 
retary,  and  have  a  right  to  fill  vacancies. 

ARTICLE  8th. 

.  * 

The  Board  shall  meet  by  a  notice  from  the  Secre¬ 
tary,  whenever  the  President,  with  the  concurrence 
of  two  other  members,  shall  direct. 

The  President,  Vice  Presidents,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  &c.  will  be  expected  to  fulfil  the  duties 
appropriate  to  their  respective  offices. 

ARTICLE  9th. 

The  Society  may  open  and  hold  correspondence 
with  other  female  benevolent  societies,  which  letters 
may  be  filed  by  the  Secretary. 


6 


ARTICLE  10th. 

Any  member  shall  have  a  right  to  withdraw  her 
name,  by  signifying  her  wish  to  the  Secretary. 

ARTICLE  11th. 

This  Constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  an 
annual  meeting,  by  a  majority  present. 


OFFICERS 


FOR  THE  CURRENT  YEAR. 
President , 

MRS.  THOMAS  BALDWIN. 

Vice  Presidents , 

MRS.  DANIEL  SHARP, 
MRS.  C.  P.  GROSYENOR, 
MRS.  J.  D.  KNOWLES, 
MRS.  HOWARD  MALCOM, 
MRS.  M.  L.  O’BRIEN. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer , 

MISS  M.  WEBB. 


Trustees , 


Mrs.  HEMAN  LINCOLN, 
Mrs.  L.  T.  COOK, 

Mrs.  S.  RIDGEWAY, 
Mrs.  C.  H.  JONES, 


Mrs.  E.  CUMMINGS, 
Mrs.  J.  B.  JONES, 
Mrs.  I.  MACOMBER, 
Mrs.  E.  SMITH. 


Collectors , 


Mrs.  F.  Shelton, 

Mrs.  C.  Cunningham, 
Mrs.  H.  Henchman, 
Mrs.  Converse, 

Mrs.  S.  Lamson, 

Mrs.  J.  Chorley, 


Miss  T.  Rogers, 
Miss  M.  A.  Quincy, 
Miss  L.  C.  Jepson, 
Miss  L.  A.  Jones, 
Miss  S.  Griggs, 
Miss  M.  Clough, 


Mrs.  George  Homer,  and  Miss  M.  Doubt,  members  of 
the  Board  for  life. 


CIRCULAR 


“  1  will  take  the  cup  of  salvation,  and  call  upon  the 
name  of  the  Lord,”  said  the  holy  psalmist,  in  view  of 
the  mercies  he  had  received  from  the  hand  of  God. 
And  in  imitation  of  his  example,  this  society  is  cal¬ 
led  upon,  to  render  praise  and  thanksgiving  for  the 
rich  and  unnumbered  blessings  which  have  been  con¬ 
ferred  upon  it,  during  a  period  of  almost  thirty  years. 

Especially  is  its  gratitude  demanded,  for  the  late 
interpositions  of  providence  by  which  it  has  been 
much  enlarged,  and  its  treasury  replenished.  The 
object  it  has  immediately  in  view,  viz.  the  permanent 
support  of  a  missionary  in  this  city,  is  highly  important. 
Its  utility  has  been  tested  by  more  than  twelve  years, 
experience,  and  it  is  now  presented  to  the  kind  consid¬ 
eration  of  our  Christian  friends,  in  confident  hope  and 
expectation,  that  members  will  be  disposed  to  “come 
up  to  help  of  the  Lord,”  and  contribute  worthily  of  their 
substance  in  aid  of  this  work.  Among  all  the  charities 
bestowed  on  the  poor,  what  so  needful,  so  salutary, 
as  “  the  glorious  gospel  of  the  blessed  God  ?”  In  the 
hour  of  affliction  and  death  how  appropriate  are  the 
offices  of  a  sympathizing  faithful  minister !  To  the 
hardened,  impenitent  sinner,  how  important  the  ad¬ 
monitory  voice  of  the  messenger  of  God,  who  is  taught 


8 


by  the  spirit  of  inspiration,  that  he  must  not  shun 
to  declare  the  whole  counsel  of  God ,  whether  men  will 
hear,  or  whether  they  will  forbear. 

That  these  privileges  may  be  extended  to  all,  it  is 
necessary  that  faithful  laborious  ministers  be  suppor¬ 
ted,  who  are  willing  to  deny  themselves,  take  up  the 
cross,  and  go  into  the  highways  and  hedges,  in  pursu¬ 
ance  of  the  object  the  Saviour  had  in  view,  when  he 
agonized  in  the  garden,  and  laid  down  his  life  on 
mount  Calvary.  And  for  the  accomplishment  of  this, 
the  friends  of  the  Saviour  are  now  solicited  to  contri¬ 
bute.  The  funds  of  the  society  are  inadequate  to  the 
purpose  without  a  powerful  effort  to  increase  and 
sustain  them.  We  therefore  present  the  motive 
urged  by  an  apostle,  “  God  loves  a  cheerful  giver.” 

Jesus  .himself  gave  it  in  evidence  of  his  advent  to 
this  world,  that  “  the  poor  had  the  gospel  preached  to 
them.”  Let  us  hail  them  as  harbingers  of  his  glori¬ 
ous  spiritual  reign  on  earth  ;  the  efforts  now  making 
to  give  the  gospel  to  the  poor.  And  let  every  disci¬ 
ple  of  Jesus  be  emulous  to  do  his  full  share  of  labour, 
aware  that  “The  night  cojvieth  when  no  man 

CAN  WORK.” 


